Some fans enjoy up-close look at Red Wings

CHICAGO -- While more than 40,000 fans were treated to the rare sight of an outdoor hockey game Thursday, several dozen got an unexpected opportunity to see the Detroit Red Wings up close prior to the Winter Classic.

Players usually warm-up before games by standing in a circle and kicking around a soccer ball. The only place they could find space to do this at Wrigley Field was on the concourse, outside of their dressing room.

It enabled early-arriving fans to enjoy some interaction with the players.

"It was fun. In a regular-season game, playing in an NHL rink, you don't get that opportunity,'' Red Wings center Kris Draper said. "Probably 100-to-200 fans watching us play soccer. People were having a lot of fun. Fans were there talking to us and cheering us.''

Some took pictures. Players signed autographs. But then some Chicago Blackhawks fans entered the scene and spoiled the fun.

"They kind of taunted us a little bit, and that put an end to the soccer game,'' Draper said. "We kind of picked our ball up and went home.

"We just wanted this to be an absolute experience for everybody involved,'' Draper added. "We knew that were going to have a ton of fun. For fans today, I think we created a lot of positive memories.''

Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios, a Chicago native and former Blackhawk, was planning on interacting with more fans after the game.

"When I go across the road to Murphy's (Bar) and celebrate with my friends and family, then it will feel like home,'' Chelios said.

"Paul Boyer, our trainer, came up with the idea, Toe Blake (the legendary Montreal Canadiens coach) and all that, and just oldtime hockey. (Boyer) thought it would be appropriate,'' Babcock said. "We needed something on our head, we thought. We didn't realize the benches were going to be quite as warm as they were. Probably didn't need it. And, no, I won't be donning it again.''

Said captain Nicklas Lidstrom: "I liked it. It brought back some good memories from some old pictures we have in the locker room.''

Players keep warm
The game-time temperature was 31.9 degrees. Some players wore hoodies under their helmets, long-sleeve T-shirts or an extra pair of socks, but combating the cold was no problem. Benches were heated.

"In (Wednesday's) practice we put on a few layers of clothing when we didn't need it,'' Lidstrom said. "Only one long sleeve shirt under your equipment (today) and it felt good. You didn't think about the wind when you were playing. It was almost too warm on the bench.''

Lidstrom said he didn't rush back from his swollen left ankle just to play in this game, saying he would have played even if it were an ordinary game.

Tradition is alive and well
The singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game'' -- a Wrigley tradition -- was kept alive in the third period by Chicago sports legends Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Ryne Sandberg. They just replaced "Ball Game'' with "Hockey Game.''

"We were kind of wondering if that was going to happen,'' Draper said. "I must admit, I think I heard Bobby Hull's voice more than anybody else's. How can you be at Wrigley Field and have an event going on and not sing that song?''

As for future outdoor games, Draper said, "Keep it Detroit-Chicago. It's too much fun to pass it along. We'll take one at Comerica (Park), absolutely.''

Cleary upended
Unquestionably, the check of the game was delivered early in the first period by Brent Seabrook, who deposited Dan Cleary completely into the Blackhawks bench. It was a little payback for Cleary's hit on Patrick Kane the previous game. It also resulted in a penalty for too many men on the ice, as a Detroit player hopped onto the ice, not realizing what had happened to Cleary.

"That was a pretty good hit,'' Cleary said. "The boards are a little lower. I'm surprised I didn't hurt someone on their bench with my skates. But it's always good to take one early or give one.''

Quotable
• Red Wings goaltender Ty Conklin, on starting all three NHL outdoor games: "They're all different in certain ways. You had the cold in Edmonton (in 2003 vs. Montreal), last year it was snow (in Buffalo, when he played for Pittsburgh) and this year it was a little bit windy, but not too bad. The ice seemed to be as good as any of those games, probably better than the other two.''

• Chicago native Brett Lebda, whose goal at 3:24 of the third period was first waved off but validated after a video review: "I wish I would have known it went in right away. I would have changed my celebration a little bit.''

• Chelios, on Jiri Hudler, who scored two goals: "The kid's had a great first half of the year. He's always around the net and he works for it. He's a junk man and he's a finisher.''